Big White is AWESOME! Cos of the people...

It is 'Jo', not 'Joe' as I was reliably informed by someone who would know - Jo herself... Sorry Joe. 

Jo not Joe.

Jo is the always, always smiling and very pretty face at the Globe - even when she only has four hours sleep she is bright and cheerful and always, always performs the hyper critical task of keeping my coffee cup, full of coffee. Ah... I love the smell of coffee in the morning...

And sometimes on the rare occasion I fulfill my side of the bargain and actually pay for the coffee... but not too often, I need to ensure expectations are managed, and not too high...

No fires here... Yet.

And look guys, Jo is cute - if I was not married, had kids, two dogs, a mortgage bigger than god, was 25 years younger, better looking, could actually talk coherently, and rich - I would be all over Jo...

The other staff face of the Globe is our Brad - guess what is Brad's other special skill? Yes, correct, he is an electrician. Brad is fairly new to the Globe but he has quickly become popular with all the canine community! We expect Brad to advance rapidly - if he continues the good work he will in two-three years become recognized as a semi permanent, potentially full (probationary) member of the temporary staff... list of employee applicants - keep up the good work Brad! 

And ladies - Brad is single... eh eh? I tell you if I was not married, kids, dogs, mortgage... 

If you are wondering about the outfit there seems to be a strong correlation between fires and Brad, whenever, wherever there is a fire Brad can usually be found slinking around with his big hose... matches and a gas can - but if you are (allegedly) starting fires, wear the best safety gear - protection and camo when the real ERT's arrive. Genius! And many people have not accused Brad of not being smart.

Love you guys :)

Anyway to paraphrase Oscar Newton John - work is the scourge of the drinking classes so you'd better shape up. (it is an inside (my head) joke).

Come visit us in the Summer - it is Awesome!

Big White is AWESOME! End of hiking week.

Looking from the top of Cliff Chair down to the lake.

Sunday was the last day of my 7 day personal, challenge and it was finished with a great hike - 14km with the Brunt family, and a dog pack including Yoda, Hobbes, Pixel and Lucy. Critters on the mountain were almost had a slightly higher risk from the canine gang of cuddly pets.

The day started at Globe with a quick coffee and then  a gentle pace to Rhonda lake (Anyone know why it is called Rhonda?). Past Rhonda, up the saddle and up to the peak. My GPS tells me the peak elevation was 7,602 ft. Is this correct for Biggie?

From the Big White peak we headed towards the top of Falcon Chair and then over to the top of the Gem Chair.

 
What an awesome day, I have been up the mountain numerous time but never hiked to the top of Falcon or Gem - it is so cool up there, very moon-scapey in places and we got to see the elusive Gem Lake - which is bigger than expected.


From Gem it was a traverse across, staying as high as possible without climbing again to end up at the top of Powder Chair, Ghost and Ridge Chairs respectively. Lots of rocky areas to traverse, slow (ish) and great fun for the kids to 'path-find'. Luca and Owen where the leaders - why do 10 year old boys not get tired?

Fun with the Brunt Family!

I use 'MapmyFitness' to track runs/hikes etc. And it told me I had expended 1500 calories +. So of course finishing at the Globe, we had to get some much needed replenishment in the form of libations (hmmm Tree Brewing Pineapple Wheat Beer) and of course the best egg and bacon sandwich courtesy of Joe at the Globe - err Yumm!

My son Luca and Hobbes after a rock climb.

This is from the saddle heading up towards the Peak.

From Falcon area looking back toward the Big White Peak.

Heading down but looking up toward Gem Peak.

The easy out from T-Bar (I think) - still snow!

Yours truly.

An excellent day - and right on your doorstep! How can you not love living at Big White?

And here is the business pitch.

Sólido Properties manages long term, seasonal and guaranteed rental properties at Big White - visit our website and Facebook page for more information, or email direct.

Big White is AWESOME! Hiking the Mountain.

Hiking.

I set myself a challenge this week, hike up to Rhonda lake everyday.

Today was day 5 - I thought it would be the toughest day, not only am I sore from 4 straight days but I also played intense squash for 1:45 last night. I know what you are thinking "why play squash in a tent?".

Actually I did only Rhonda on Sunday. Monday I did the saddle then up to the Big White summit, Tuesday the Easter Chutes, Wednesday the rockslide at the left of the saddle and today the saddle again. And despite my tent activities it was the least tiring day.

From the Timbers to the top and back again is roughly 10km+, although I have covered 12km and 11km on a couple of days.

I take the dogs - Hobbes (the big dude) and Pixel (the little dude) - they have fun, especially when they find snow or chase critters. As a dog, what else is there but fun outside?

They have never actually caught a critter - these are your not hard core hunting dogs, these are condo pets pretending...

I am not sure they would know what to do, if they ever caught one... The little dude could be a critter...

How many other places is this on your doorstep? And it is quiet. Have you every hiked up Snowden in Wales? There must be thousands of people every day - believe or not there is even a train to the top...

This is looking at the back from the saddle.


And in the Winter, but from the other direction, confused?

Rhonda Lake of course, looking small.

I lived in Kelowna, South East area and it was okay. When I wanted to go for a run I would jump in my car with the dog, drive 5km to Crawford Trails, the same  when finished. At Big White I walk out my door...

And the temperature is better for me, I am a cool person, well not really but I like a cooler environment. I get that here, I don't need AC and if I want to jump in a lake there it is :) Maybe you will see a bunch of kids in there on Saturday, maybe.

Anyway, enjoy Big White, and get out onto the mountain... It is Awesome!

Big White is AWESOME! Working here.

Okay, this is 'working here' version 2.31. I was gonna write a fresh new, pretty, bells and whistles blog... but... I didn't. Ha!

Working at Biggie - Woohoo!

Good Times!!!

First of all let me say (lots of) money is not everything, in fact in the big scheme of things money is not that important - some of the happiest people I know, the people who travel the most - went bankrupt, sounds bad, but it was liberating for them. Anyway, not earning lots of money is good because at Big White you will gain something far more valuable than the money you don't make - an experience of a lifetime. 

And (being philosophical here) life is nothing more than a series of joined experiences. You want to make money? Stay home, work in the mines, make a bunch of doh, get married, have kids, work 60+ hours per week, retire and then kick the bucket - Fun! Not. If you want to do something to remember the rest of your life, travel - come be a snowboard instructor, or bar tender, or whatever at Big White - have a rich and rewarding experience. And of course meet lots of people - this is giant hand Brad below - a sparky... find out more about Brad here, he is for sale.


What can I earn?Remember it is a 5-6 month resort. Businesses have to cover 12 months of fixed costs over a short period - rent, property tax, utilities (marginal), strata fees, their own salaries... They, like you, are not doing it to be rich, but (like you) for the lifestyle. And the lifestyle at Big White is pretty AWESOME!


I would budget somewhere between $1200 - $1600 per month in your pocket after taxes. More hours equals less snow time. But... be reliable. Hungover... tired... can't be bothered working today... my hair is a mess... forgot to put my make-up on... OMG where am I, and who are you...? Are not valid excuses. A foot of powder...? Yes, okay, that's a valid excuse.

Off on a tangent here-
I worked/bummed around a ski resort resort in my mid 20's - Chatel, in the French Alps - just on the Swiss border. Loved it! I worked in bars, kitchen's, chalets. The biggest hurdle for me then was the language - the French just refused to speak English. And my French was as advanced as my Latvian. Coming from the industrial North of England, languages were not popular - some even argue we don't even speak English. Which could be true-

Minimum wages - come work for us...

Here are a couple of common Wigan phrases. Some need double translation (see the parenthesis)

• Izziterzerizziteez - Is is her's or is it his.
• Ah wur fair clemm't - I was very hungry.
• Gerreminagen! - Get them in again (as in round of beer).
• Ee's peed aw is munny up waw - He has pissed all of his money up the wall (Spent all his money on beer)
• Sawreetferthee - It is okay for you.
• Izyedzawshapes - His head is all shapes.
• Avaddabuttifermitay - I have had a butty (sandwich) for my tea (dinner).
• Weeaffertguffertbuzz - We have (are off) to go for the bus.
• Astbinmenbin? - Have the bin men (trash collectors) been?
• Art brekkin um in fer an 'orse? - (this is trash talk to someone with big teeth) Are you breaking them in for a horse?
• Willy Eckerslike - Will he heckers like. (this is difficult, it means - he will not do that)
• Eezgoowinwom - He is going home.
• Eenose nowt abartit - he knows nothing about it.
• Geeuzakisswillta? - Give us a kiss will you?
• Art cooertin - Are you courting? (Are you dating anyone)
• Stop bluddy Maudderin - Stop Bloody Crying. (popular with my dad (RIP) after he cracked me one - spanked me)
• Stop maudderin yer bruvver - Stop bothering your brother (often followed by a crack and a Stop bluddy maudderin)

As you can see Wiganese eliminates numerous letters (H) and profusely uses others (Z).

Back to Biggie.
Of course it does not have much to do with working at Big White... but out of the jobs I did in France with my limited French and English working the bar was my favourite, being a 'Plunger' (use a French accent) was by far the most demanding - I would run around that kitchen barely breathing 9am - 6pm none stop.

So if you are looking for work at a ski resort... don't go to Chatel to be a Plunger.

However, if you are coming to Big White - 

Man, I wish I could get rich so I could have a vacation here.

• Bars and restaurants pay minimum (or close to)... but the tips are usually very good (being blonde, beautiful, blue eyed - helps, er... you know I mean female here). Be prepared to work late and suffer drunken Aussies, Brits, Canadians etc etc.
• Big White Housekeeping - steady hours, minimum wage, ski pass. Can be dirty - renters are not looking to leave their place 'ready for the next guest' if you know what I mean. But the benefits are free food, beer etc.
• Other housekeeping - same as Big White, maybe a pass - Ask!
• Ski/Snowboard Instructor - Sexy! Lowish pay (unless you are level 3 and above). Free ski pass and you have a cool job. Cool capital C. 
• Liftie - A bit dull but always steady. Ski pass and you get to ski a little whilst working.
• Telus Park - same
• Snow clearing. Intermittent hours, busiest when conditions are best... good wages, hard work and will keep you fit, but little snow means little work...
• Groomer - few jobs but you work mostly nights - ski/ride during the day.

So do some homework, contact the businesses early, and find a place to stay... oh, that's where we come in - Sólido Properties - manages and rents their own and third party properties. If you need long term accommodation we can help. Like us on Facebook - we will like you :) ...maybe.

A (true) Story

In 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait - I don't know the real reason, oil, CIA, strategic positioning, dictator reasoning - (this is similar to logic of the fairer sex). 

By January 1991 I found myself with a squadron of British Royal Engineers in the Saudi desert - by the way the Saudi desert is not sand it is hard, dusty dirt - a sand storm is not sand, it is dust so fine it hangs suspended...

But but but, that is not the story...

I was a dispatch rider (on the British Armstrong 500) and heavy equipment operator (bulldozers, scrapers, excavators etc) with my Squadron, so my bike was also my transport to get to site, as and when needed. 

Anyway I found myself building up the defences of an American squadron of Blackhawk helicopters, probably 20 clicks from my home base. I would leave camp at early o'clock, ride to the Blackhawk camp, work, and then ride back.  The route was drive from the camp to the 'road' I use the term 'road' very broadly as it was basically a big pot hole with bits of tarmac sticking out at acute angles - not to dissimilar to shark fins in an ocean. I would then drive the road to the turnoff for the Americans and drive their track to their camp - simple.

But the road was treacherous, it was easier driving the ugly desert than the ugly road. One night I finished late and I thought I would take a short cut - as the crow flies, drive the desert to the camp. At best is was a weak plan, but at 21 - I made the mistakes of a 21 year old.

The rumour was Iraqi death squads had infiltrated the area and were looking for easy targets - a loan squaddie on a bike? An easy target.

I set off and pretty soon it got dark, and dark in the desert is dark. There are no lights, no glow of distant towns or cities - the only light is from the moon (none that night) and the stars (lots). I kind of get lost and because it is a war zone, every military camp is on black-out.

I am riding around and looking for the camp when the bike's timing belt goes. Now the Armstrong is a simple bike, heavy, low power, easy to fix. The timing belt had gone multiple times, and I had replaced them multiple times - on this very bike. I had the tools and I had a spare belt. I also had a flashlight to see what I was doing - easy.

Not so easy. The timing belt cover plate is held on by five (if I remember correctly) bolts. And the bolts on this plate had been removed so many times that they were difficult to remove at the best of times - in the dark, using one hand (flashlight in the other) I could not get the cover plate off. I was in a bit of a pickle...

Trying to work out my options I see the lights of a truck on the horizon, driving right to left. My instant thought was 'friendly forces or not friendly?' (Iraqi insurgents?) It is a war zone and the allied standing orders are no lights after dark - but I also assume any Iraqi forces would have the same order. My conclusion was unfriendly forces would be less likely to drive with lights.

With my headlight I flash the morse code for help (SOS) - dot dot dot, dash dash dash, dot dot dot. Nothing, I'm thinking any military guy would know this, why are they not turning? They must be able to see me I am the only flashing light, in a sea of darkness. I try again - dot dot dot, dash dash dash, dot dot dot. Nothing. I am at a loss - why are they not turning - Iraqis? I try again and again and again, eventually the headlights... although by this point I am not certain I want that.

The vehicle gets close and I realize it is an American military pick-up truck with a driver, passenger and looking very much like they should - very good. The driver, drives his vehicle up to me, winds down his window and says...

Now recall, I am a lone soldier, in the middle of the desert, bike in a disassembled state, it is a war zone and I am signalling a distress signal for help.

... in a southern drawl "Can you tell me where the AT&T phones are...?"

Desert, war zone, distress signal, soldier all alone... looking back I ask myself, just what was he thinking when he drove up to me - "hey look there is a soldier, all alone, in the middle of nowhere, flashing us so he can give us directions..."

The Armstrong 500

Big White is AWESOME! And Healthy!

So, you want to lose some weight? er yes please Mr. Pickles.

Hold on captain, what is the picture to the left? Well that is Scafell Pike - (with gravitas please) "It is the highest peak in England my son..." Yes a whole 87m high... not really, it is 978m.

Wait, what..? Well this blog is about Big White, (which is Awesome by the way.) And Big White is 2,319m - 9.4379 times higher than Scafell...

Ok, this is the point. Living at altitude is believed to increase your base metabolic rate - the number of calories you burn. So if you live at Big White, going to Kelowna makes you fat! And you all thought it was food.

Research.
A study in Germany tested 20 obese men whilst in Munich and at 8,700ft. Whilst at altitude the men lost an average of 3lb each in a week. 20 is not really enough to pass muster with the FDA - still according to the journal of made up statistics (doing a course right now) Colorado has the lowest levels of obesity out of the whole of the USA - less than 20%. 

This link provides more info 

I don't know what the stats are for Big White, I think it is around 0%, apart from the odd chubby Golden Retriever - obviously they have not read this article or the stats...

Now the question is, does Big White attract healthy people or make healthy them?

I think probably a bit of both.

Of course you also have to work - nothing is free, my preferred activity is squash - look at the chart squash burns more calories per hour than any other activity. 1520kj (1 Calorie is roughly 4 kj) per 30 minutes for a 70kg, 40 year old woman. If only I could play like a woman.

Running also helps, but soft snow and high altitude makes it very challenging - like running up a giant sand-dune without oxygen.

So anyway back to my point, not only is Big White a great place to live and raise a family, it is also naturally, a healthy place to live - even better than Scafell...

Oh and the pitch - if after reading this you are convinced Big White is for you contact Sólido Properties or like us on Facebook for more information and rental options.

Big White is AWESOME! Random Musings.

Ok, so I may have mentioned that Big White is Awesome...? No? Well it is!

Last week it was warm, capital W, warm. And with the warm weather came lots of melt and with lots of melt comes everything buried in the snow, since October. Mostly garbage, the BW community organized a clean up and got to it. Well done everyone!

The Sherriff's played their part to a small degree - Snowbird Way is now has the equivalent of one garbage bag less of garbage lying around - Whoohoo! Unfortunately you cannot tell, Boo! - we will be out again :)

Of course in addition to the trash under the snow there is also Treasure - last year during the season I lost my iPhone :( and I never found it. But I did find a brand new iPhone 4s - all shiny and new, not a scratch on it. Perfect! I put it in a bag of rice (I'd heard this works) and two days later I plugged in the power... it instantly came to life (good old Apple) and instantly I was able to find the owner... in Australia, he was happy, me, less so - I needed a new phone but what can you do?

Actually speaking of Apple their products are quite durable, my daughter put her iPod Nano through the wash and that was fine. And one time I dropped my (first) iPhone in the snow, I found it the next day, and I am sure it would have been fine... if not for being crushed...

Other treasure - unopened beer in the snow, under the chair lifts - and yes, I do drink them - for practical purposes only, the can is much lighter to carry off the mountain without contents...

People. (no I don't find spare people)

There seems to be a lot of people around this year, the last time I ran up the mountain (yes that idiot is me) there must have been 10 others skinning/hiking/snowshoeing up/down. And there are always people at Globe (open everyday except Friday). The first year (2000) we did not see anyone for weeks, we arrived May 11th and that weekend it must have snowed half a metre - we saw a dog and that was it, Saxon (RIP).

Anyhoo... thats it from me for today - 

PS Forgot my pitch - anyone looking for seasonal rentals or rental management visit our Facebook page or website or email solidorentals@gmail.com

 

Big White is AWESOME! A bit on Seasonal Rentals

Roughly 1300 seasonal staff hit Biggie every year...

Seasonal staff on balance tend to pay over the odds, their choices are limited and they have a reputation for being hard on property. 

But I have rented to seasonal staff since 2003, and if you respect your renters and stay visible, they will respect you and your property - there is always going to be wear and tear but usually no more and often less, than vacation renters.

So, some tips for owners renting to seasonal staff.

1. Meet them or have your agent meet them.
2. Take 6 months rent up front or first and last months rent.
3. Take a damage deposit.
4. Get a contract signed by all or a head tenants.
5. Do not permit 'friends' to stay for a couple of nights.
6. Girls are (usually) cleaner than boys.
7. Check the property regularly.
8. Inform the tenants of any noise (or other relevant) by-laws before they occupy the property.
9. Direct deposit is the best way of collecting rent, followed by credit card, cheque and then cash.
10. Rent payment holds varying places on the list of tenants priorities - it is usually behind beer, snowboarding, socialising, shopping. :)
11. Couples can be good unless they break up, and remember for many this is their first time travelling together - break-ups happen.
12. Be Nice! Expect minor wear and tear, expect some noise, expect them to be untidy, expect them to get drunk. Most of these kids (it is a broad definition) are good kids, so treat them fairly.

And pay back the damage deposit promptly - these kids are usually broke by the end of the season.

But what about the Staff...? You ask? Well here is something I didn't prepare earlier.

1. Find your place early! Really, I cannot emphasize this enough - there are around 1300 seasonal staff arrive at Big White every year - 90%+ are looking for accommodation after they arrive. Starting in the hostels, and immediately scouring snowpines for places to share - the same as the other 1,290 people. It becomes a renters market - which means higher costs and lower quality accommodation...
2. Read Tip one again!
3. If you are doing this early enough you can decide where you want to live - what is important to you? Access to the village for work/recreation? Ski in/out? Amenities? I have lived in Snowpines, top of the village and Happy Valley - Happy Valley is #1 for me, but I have kids and dogs - school, cross country trails, skating rink, Moose Lounge and the gondola gives me immediate village access. These are important for me. Decide where you want to live.
4. Choose your roomies carefully! For many Big White is the first time away from home and people have different levels of personal hygiene... 
5. Decide on some common sense house rules - shared cleaning, groceries etc.
6. Damage - hmmm, do not buy a BB gun and put up a target - you will use it when you are drunk. But consider, if you have one guy (girls don't usually get punchy, although I did have one girlfriend...) who trashes the place - you are all responsible. See tip 4.
7. Keep in contact with the owner or contact person, let them know of any issues - if the fridge breaks they will fix it. If the fridge breaks because you chucked it off the deck, they won't fix it...
8. Pay your rent by direct bank deposit - it is much easier to prove you have paid.
9. Respect the property you are in.
10. Work out a budget for the season before hand, figure on $550 per month per person for shared accom, add $40+/- for utilities, and factor in - food, drink, socializing etc.
11. Don't sign up for utilities, have the owner keep them in their name and reimburse - don't make it difficult.

Big White have about 130 pillows they manage, dedicated to their 'first-time' staff - if you have never spent a season at Big White, this could be a good option. The rates are lower - $425 - $450 per month but your accommodation is tied to your job - lose your job, you lose your bed! Mostly bunks but probably better than the hostel.

Remember Tip 1. Whether you find a luxury place in Happy Valley, sharing with 6 other people or a basement dump in Snowpines sharing with 11 others, your rents will be similar - the quality variable is a function of time not money!

So here is my pitch - Sólido Properties rents and manages their own and other properties - if you need property management or guaranteed rental income talk to us, if you are looking for long term or seasonal rentals talk to us, if you need marital advice, have health issues, problem children/pets, drink/drugs problem or any other issue... don't talk to us.

www.solido-properties.com 

Yes, you cannot stay here! :)

C.

Back home at Big White! And it is AWESOME!

Yesterday my kids got to enjoy a ride on  one of the grooming machines (Thanks Jeremy) - how cool is that for a 10 year old boy!

I'm 45 and I thought it was cool... but I did not get a ride... cos nobody loves me... :(

There is still tons of snow and we woke to almost 6" of fresh today. Lack of snow is not why the mountain closes its lack of people - Kelowna there is golf, lake, wineries, mountain biking... etc etc.

But it is slowly changing, this year it feels like more people are on the mountain, Sam's was open, Globe is open during the day and the great big announcement (from the Doc's office) is the clinic will be open one day per week - woohoo!

There are a couple of bike trails here and there are countless kms of logging roads to dirt bike but it is the chicken and the egg - people won't come until there is stuff to do, business won't open until there are sufficient people to support them.

I often wonder what writers block is now I